Modular furniture system

ABSTRACT

A modular furniture system that allows modular furniture units to be assembled from a set of boxes is provided. Each box includes a pattern of recesses on one or more panels. The pattern of recesses is configured to accept one or more pegs, and to align with a corresponding pattern of recesses on a neighboring box. The pegs cause the neighboring boxes to be in alignment as selected by a customer. In some embodiments, each box is substantially cube-shaped, or has dimensions that are multiples of other boxes that are cube-shaped. In some embodiments, one or more boxes are tapered to form isosceles trapezoidal prisms instead of cubes, thus causing a curve to be formed when such boxes are aligned with each other.

BACKGROUND

Shelving units having shelves with vertical dividers that subdivide the shelving into cubical-shaped areas remain a popular furniture design. Several furniture designers offer such shelving, though the existing designs have drawbacks. For example, existing designs are inflexible in that they are designed as a single shelving unit with divided shelves. While such shelves are stylish and the vertical shelf dividers provide organizational advantages, the arrangement of such shelves in a single unit makes the shelving difficult to position in a customer's available space. Because the shelving is created in predetermined sizes, customers may be unable to find a shelving unit that fits their available space. Also, once positioned and assembled, it can be very difficult to reposition or relocate the shelving unit. What is needed is a modular shelving system that retains the advantages and clean lines of single-unit shelving with vertically divided shelves, but that provides customers with the ability to resize and reshape the shelving to meet their particular goals.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In some embodiments, a box configured for combination with additional components to create modular furniture is provided. The box comprises a set of panels including a top panel, a bottom panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel. At least one panel of the set of panels includes a pattern of recesses shaped to accommodate one or more pegs for aligning the box with corresponding recesses of a neighboring box.

In some embodiments, a modular furniture system is provided. The modular furniture system comprises a plurality of boxes and a plurality of pegs. Each box includes a pattern of recesses, and the plurality of pegs are provided for insertion into the recesses of the boxes to align adjacent boxes with each other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a high perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a modular furniture unit comprising a plurality of boxes such as the box illustrated in FIG. 6, according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a detail perspective view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a detail perspective view of a portion of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a modular furniture system that allows shelving units to be designed and built by customers out of individual modular pieces. The modular furniture system includes features for alignment, locking, and attachment of the individual modular pieces to each other, which allows for creative arrangement of the individual modular pieces while retaining the clean lines and alignment of a pre-designed single shelving unit.

FIG. 1 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Four boxes are illustrated: an upper left box 102, an upper right box 104, a lower left box 108, and a lower right box 106. When assembled, the boxes 102, 104, 106, 108 form a modular shelving unit. In order to ensure that the boxes 102, 104, 106, 108 are accurately aligned with each other when assembled, the panels that make up each of the boxes 102, 104, 106, 108 each include a pattern of recesses that correspond to patterns of recesses on neighboring boxes. Each recess is configured to accept a peg that, when assembled, aligns the recess of a box to a recess of a neighboring box. As illustrated, the boxes include top panels, bottom panels, left panels, and right panels, but are open to the front and back. In other embodiments, the boxes may include a back panel, a front panel, a front door, a drawer, a divider, and/or other integrated features.

The boxes may be constructed of any suitable material, using any suitable technique. For example, in some embodiments, the boxes may be assembled from panels made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF), solid wood, metal, glass, plastic, and/or any other suitable material or combination of materials. The panels may be assembled to form boxes using joinery means including, but not limited to screws, bolts/cross dowels, cam screws/cam connectors, nails, glue, dowels, traditional woodworking joints, and/or any other suitable technique or combination of techniques. Instead of joining multiple panels, in some embodiments some or all of the box may be molded from a single piece via casting, injection molding, vacuum molding, 3-D printing, and/or any other suitable technique or combinations of techniques. In some embodiments, panels may be finished in various ways. For example, MDF panels may be provided that are painted, covered with a veneer, unpainted, and/or in any other finish. As another example, acrylic panels may be translucent to allow the assembled box to be translucent as well. The pegs may also may be made from a variety of materials, including but not limited to aluminum, stainless steel, brass, nickel, plastic, wood, and/or any other suitable material.

As illustrated, the right panel of the upper left box 102 includes a recess 110. The recess 110 accepts a peg 122. The left panel of the upper right box 104 also includes a recess (hidden due to perspective) that accepts the peg 122 when the upper left box 102 and the upper right box 104 are placed against each other and properly aligned. The peg 122 ensures that the upper left box 102 and the upper right box 104 are aligned with each other vertically and along their depth. Each of the boxes 102, 104, 106, 108 includes similar patterns of recesses. As illustrated, the upper right box 104 has a right panel that includes a recess 112 similar to the recess 110 on the right panel of the upper left box 102. The right panels of the lower left box 108 and the lower right box 106 also include similar recesses 118, 114, respectively. As with the upper left box 102 and the upper right box 104, the lower left box 108 and the lower right box 106 are aligned vertically and along their depth when placed against each other and properly aligned by the peg 128 inserted into the recess 118 of the lower left box 108 and a corresponding recess of the lower right box 106.

The top panels of each of the boxes 102, 104, 106, 108 also include patterns of recesses, such as the visible recess 120 on the top panel of the lower left box 108 and the recess 116 on the top panel of the lower right box 106. These recesses correspond with recesses on the bottom panels of the upper left box 102 and the upper right box 104 (hidden due to perspective). A peg 124 inserted into the recess 120 of the lower left box 108 aligns the upper left box 102 with the lower left box 108 along their depth and horizontally when the boxes 102, 108 are placed against each other and properly aligned. Similarly, a peg 126 inserted into the recess 116 of the lower right box 108 aligns the upper right box 104 with the lower right box 106 along their depth and horizontally when the boxes 104, 106 are placed against each other and properly aligned.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pegs 122, 124, 126, 128 are coin-shaped. The width of the pegs and depth of the corresponding recesses are such that adjacent boxes are positionable flush against each other when a peg is inserted into corresponding recesses of the adjacent boxes. In some embodiments, the recesses and pegs may be sized appropriately such that the peg is retained in the recess by friction, but may be removed by hand or other means. In some embodiments, the peg may be retained within the recess via adhesive means, such as glue, double-sided tape, hook-and-look fasteners, and/or the like. In some embodiments, some of the pegs may be retained in the recesses using adhesive means, while other pegs are retained in the recesses using friction or gravity. For example, the pegs inserted into recesses on side panels such as recess 110 and recess 118 may be retained via adhesive means, while the pegs inserted into recesses on top panels such as recess 120 and recess 116 may be retained via friction and/or gravity. While the illustrated pegs 122, 124, 126, 128 are coin-shaped, in other embodiments, pegs of different shapes may be used. For example, in some embodiments, cylindrical pegs having a radius shorter than the length of the cylinder may be used. As another example, in some embodiments, the pegs may be shaped to be inserted in recesses that are not circular, such as oval recesses, polygonal recesses, and/or the like, in order to further aid in alignment of the corresponding boxes.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated embodiment includes a top box 202 and a bottom box 204. Unlike the previous embodiment wherein the pattern of recesses on the panels of the boxes each included a single recess, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 the pattern of recesses on each panel includes multiple recesses. As shown, the pattern of recesses 208 on a top panel of the lower box 204 includes nine separate recesses. Each other panel of the boxes 202, 204 includes a similar pattern of resources, including the visible patterns of recesses 204, 206, as well as other patterns of recesses that are not visible in the illustrated perspective view. More than one peg 210 may be inserted into the pattern of recesses 208. As illustrated, a peg may be inserted into each recess in the pattern of recesses 208, while in some embodiments, less than all of the recesses may have pegs inserted. The use of more than one peg in the pattern of recesses 208 may provide greater strength in holding adjacent boxes in alignment. In some embodiments, the use of a single peg may allow adjacent boxes to rotate with respect to one another, while the use of more than one peg may align the adjacent boxes with each both in the plane of the adjacent panels as well as in a rotational direction.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated modular furniture unit 300 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure that allows a customer to creatively arrange boxes of different, complementary shapes to create custom furniture units. The illustrated modular furniture unit 300 includes six boxes that have been assembled using pegs for alignment as discussed above. The modular furniture unit 300 includes four cube-shaped boxes 302. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the assembled four cube-shaped boxes 302 at the lower left of the modular furniture unit 300 are similar to the four boxes illustrated in partially exploded perspective view in FIG. 1.

The modular furniture unit 300 also includes a double-wide box 304 and a triple-wide box 306. The double-wide box 304 is dimensioned such that its width (which is disposed vertically in the modular furniture unit 300) is twice that of the individual cube-shaped boxes, thus allowing it to be arranged adjacent to a pair of individual cube-shaped boxes. The panels of the double-wide box 304 include patterns of recesses configured to align with the patterns of recesses on the individual cube-shaped boxes. The triple-wide box 306 is dimensioned such that its width (which is disposed horizontally in the modular furniture unit 300) is three-times as wide as the width of the individual cube-shaped boxes. As with the double-wide box 304, the panels of the triple-wide box 306 also include patterns of recesses that align with the patterns of recesses of the individual cube-shaped boxes. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that more or fewer boxes may be used, and that boxes of different sizes and shapes may be used, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated modular furniture unit 400 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the patterns of recesses allow one or more boxes to be aligned in an offset position with respect to one or more neighboring boxes. The patterns of recesses in the boxes illustrated in FIG. 4 are similar to the patterns of recesses 204, 206, 208 illustrated above in FIG. 2. Such patterns include three rows of three recesses each. In order to achieve the offset alignment illustrated in FIG. 4, one or more pegs may be inserted into a middle row of recesses on a first box, which may then be aligned with and inserted into a front-most row of recesses or a rear-most row of recesses on a neighboring box (instead of the middle row of recesses on the neighboring box). Likewise, a front-most row of recesses on a first box may be aligned with a rear-most row of recesses on a neighboring box, or any other combination of alignments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated modular furniture unit 500 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein boxes are arranged in a rotated alignment. The patterns of recesses in the boxes illustrated in FIG. 5 are similar to the patterns of recesses 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 illustrated in FIG. 1. Such patterns include a single, circular recess. Accordingly, a coin-shaped peg inserted into the recess allows neighboring boxes to be rotated with respect to one another after being aligned by the peg. As illustrated, a middle box is rotated with respect to an upper box and a lower box. Such rotation allows for an even greater amount of customization for a customer.

FIG. 6 illustrates a high perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated box 600 is similar to the boxes illustrated above. However, while the boxes illustrated above are substantially cube-shaped, the box 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 is gently tapered from the front side to the back side, to form an isosceles trapezoidal prism instead of a cube. The box 600 includes a left taper 602 and a right taper 604 of approximately five degrees from a right angle, as shown by the dashed lines extending at a right angle from the front of the box 600 to the back of the box 600. The panels that make up the box 600 include patterns of recesses 608 similar to those discussed above. The inclusion of the tapers 602, 604, causes a curve to be introduced when multiple boxes such as box 600 are combined. The box 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 also includes a first set of recessed holes 610 and a second set of recessed holes 612. The recessed holes 610, 612 are shaped to accommodate a clip for holding the box 600 in a fixed horizontal relationship to a neighboring box (as illustrated and discussed in further detail below). FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a modular furniture unit 700 comprising a plurality of boxes such as box 600, wherein the taper introduces a curve to the modular furniture unit 700.

FIG. 8 illustrates a detail perspective view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates an intersection of four boxes that are combined to form a modular furniture unit. The edge of each box is mitered such that, when combined, the mitered portions form a channel 802. Such channels can improve the appearance of the assembled modular furniture unit.

FIG. 9 illustrates a detail perspective view of a portion of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates a top surface intersection of two neighboring boxes. The boxes include a set of recessed holes 902, 904, 906. The set of recessed holes 902, 904, 906 are aligned on neighboring boxes, and are each sized to accommodate a clip 910, 912, 914. Though each of the clips 910, 912, 914 are illustrated either outside of the recessed holes 902, 904, 906 or only partially inserted into the recessed holes 902, 904, 906, in some embodiments, the recessed holes 902, 904, 906 may include a countersink channel to allow a fully installed clip 910, 912, 914 to lay flush with the top surface of the combined boxes. In some embodiments, a single clip inserted into any of the recessed holes 902, 904, 906 may be adequate to prevent the neighboring boxes from horizontally separating. In some embodiments, the position of the recessed holes 902, 904, 906 on a given box may be related to the pattern of recesses, such that positioning the box with respect to a neighboring box in an offset position (as illustrated and discussed with respect to FIG. 4) will cause at least one set of recessed holes on the neighboring boxes to be in alignment with each other for insertion of a clip.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A box configured for combination with additional components to create modular furniture, the box comprising: a set of panels including a top panel, a bottom panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel; and wherein at least one panel of the set of panels includes a pattern of recesses shaped to accommodate one or more pegs for aligning the box with corresponding recesses of a neighboring box.
 2. The box as recited in claim 1, wherein the top panel, the bottom panel, the left side panel, and the right side panel form a cube with an open front side and an open back side.
 3. The box as recited in claim 1, wherein the top panel, the bottom panel, the left side panel, and the right side panel form an isosceles trapezoidal prism with an open front side and an open back side.
 4. The box as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more pegs are coin-shaped.
 5. The box as recited in claim 1, wherein the pattern of recesses includes a single recess centered in the at least one panel.
 6. The box as recited in claim 1, wherein the pattern of recesses includes a plurality of recesses arranged in a grid on the at least one panel.
 7. The box as recited in claim 1, wherein a top surface of the box includes one or more recessed holes each shaped to accommodate a pin for holding the box to a neighboring box.
 8. A modular furniture system, comprising: a plurality of boxes, each box including a pattern of recesses; and a plurality of pegs for insertion into the recesses of the boxes to align adjacent boxes with each other.
 9. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one box of the plurality of boxes is a different size than the other boxes of the plurality of boxes.
 10. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 9, wherein the at least one box of the plurality of boxes that is a different size is twice as wide as the other boxes of the plurality of boxes.
 11. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 8, wherein the boxes are cube-shaped and form a flat surface when aligned using the plurality of pegs.
 12. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 8, wherein the boxes are tapered in at least one dimension and form a curved surface when aligned using the plurality of pegs.
 13. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 8, wherein the pegs of the plurality of pegs are coin-shaped.
 14. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 8, wherein the pattern of recesses is arranged to allow adjacent boxes to be aligned using the plurality of pegs at a selectable offset in at least one dimension.
 15. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of clips; wherein at least two horizontally adjacent boxes of the plurality of boxes are held to each other by at least one clip inserted into corresponding recessed holes of the at least two horizontally adjacent boxes. 